FUEL For Your FAITH

  When the apostles declared truth, people responded in different ways: hostility, indifference, or faith (Acts 5:33–39). Even today, responses to the gospel are varied. Some resist violently, others ignore, and a few embrace the truth with repentance.   As Christians, we are not responsible for controlling how people respond — only for faithfully declaring and living the message.   The Sanhedrin wanted to silence the apostles, but the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Their joy and perseverance testify that God’s work cannot be stopped. Likewise, our role is to remain faithful, trusting God to work through His truth in the hearts of others.   Scripture: Acts 5:41 - So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.   Action Item: When you face rejection or resistance for your faith, choose to respond with joy and persistence rather than ...

The apostles’ message was not about themselves, but about exalting Jesus as Prince and Savior (Acts 5:31). They proclaimed His death, resurrection, and exaltation to God’s right hand.   For us today, the temptation is to make faith about personal comfort, success, or recognition. But true witness always points away from self and toward Christ. He is the One who grants repentance and forgiveness. He is the exalted Lord who reigns over all. Exalting Jesus means we live in a way that honors Him, giving Him first place in our priorities, our conversations, and our daily choices. The more we lift Him up, the more others are drawn to His saving power.   Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;     Application: Begin and end your day by exalting Jesus — thanking Him for who He is, no...

  When commanded to stop preaching, Peter boldly declared: “ We must obey God rather than men .” (Acts 5:29). This reveals a vital principle: obedience to God takes priority over human approval or pressure.   In our daily lives, this can be difficult. We face subtle pressures at work, school, or even within relationships to compromise faith for comfort. Yet, true discipleship demands that we choose obedience to God’s Word, even when it costs us something.   Obedience to God often requires courage. It may lead to misunderstanding or rejection. But true freedom and peace are found when we place God’s authority above all others. Every choice to honor God, no matter how small, testifies to His lordship in our lives.   Scripture: Acts 5:29 - But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.”   Psalms 119:1-4 - How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Wh...

In Acts 5, the high priest and Sadducees saw the apostles’ message as dangerous because it challenged their teaching, authority, and influence. The truth of the gospel always disrupts false security. Today, truth remains offensive to many — not because it is harmful, but because it exposes sin and demands humility. As believers, we often struggle with the tension between wanting to be liked and the call to declare truth. Yet, truth is not ours to soften or hide. When we live and speak God’s Word faithfully, some will reject it, but others will be set free. The apostles did not fear embarrassment or intimidation; they trusted that God’s truth cannot be stopped, even when opposed. This encourages us to hold fast, knowing God’s Word will accomplish His purposes regardless of resistance.     Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:17 - For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.   Ephesians 4:15 - S...

  Jesus warned His disciples that following Him would invite opposition (John 15:20). The apostles experienced this firsthand as they were jailed, beaten, and threatened in Acts 5.   As modern Christians, we may not always face physical persecution, but we do encounter rejection, ridicule, or spiritual opposition when we live faithfully for Christ. Often, we wonder why doing good — serving others, standing for truth, sharing hope — still leads to hostility. Yet, Scripture reminds us that persecution is not a sign of God’s absence, but of our alignment with Christ.   To live as His witnesses means we will share in His sufferings. It is vital that we remember opposition is part of the Christian journey, not an obstacle to it. In fact, it often strengthens our witness and drives us deeper into God’s presence.   Scripture: John 15:20 - Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; i...

Acts 5:15-16 paints a striking picture: the sick being brought into the streets, people hoping even for Peter’s shadow to touch them, and the afflicted coming from all around Jerusalem to be healed. While the shadow itself had no power, it represented people’s faith that God could and would heal through His servants. This mirrors the ministry of Jesus, who drew the sick and hurting wherever He went.   Today, physical healing is still possible, but the greatest healing comes through the gospel—restoring the broken relationship between God and man. Our world is full of people hurting physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and God has placed us here to bring them to the One who can make them whole. This requires compassion, boldness, and intentionality.   Often, the first step is simply noticing the need around us. When we act as Christ’s hands and feet—caring for the hurting and pointing them to Him—we participate in the same kingdom work that marked the early church. ...

The end of Acts 5:13 says, “ the people held them in high esteem .” This was not because the apostles tried to win popularity contests, but because their lives matched their message. Jesus had told His disciples that the world would know they belonged to Him by their love for one another (John 13:35). The early church was known for compassion, honesty, generosity, and moral integrity. Even those who didn’t believe in Christ could see the difference.   Sadly, Christians today sometimes have the opposite reputation—judgmental, hypocritical, or self-serving. While we can’t control every opinion people form about us, we can live in such a way that any accusation against us proves false. A good reputation is not about pride; it’s about stewardship of the name of Christ. When we live with integrity, treat others with dignity, and love sacrificially, the watching world gets a glimpse of Jesus in us. That kind of witness often speaks louder than any sermon we could preach.   Scriptu...

Acts 5:13 reveals that “ no one else dared to join them ,” a statement that points to a holy fear gripping those who saw the seriousness of following Christ. The events with Ananias and Sapphira made it clear that God’s holiness cannot be treated lightly.   In our time, we live in a culture that prefers a comfortable, diluted version of faith—one where commitment is optional and holiness is negotiable. But Scripture paints a different picture: God is holy, and He calls His people to be holy (1 Peter 1:16). While God is loving and merciful, He is also righteous and pure, and sin cannot stand in His presence. A right view of His holiness produces both reverence and humility in us. It causes us to repent quickly and walk carefully before Him.   Far from scaring people away from the faith, reverence for God can be a powerful witness. When unbelievers see Christians who take God seriously, they realize our faith is not a casual hobby but a life-defining reality. Holiness may not ...

Acts 5:12 tells us that the believers were “ all together in Solomon’s Colonnade .” This wasn’t a casual, once-a-month type of meeting. It was a deep commitment to community and worship. We see this pattern throughout Acts—the early church gathered in homes, at the temple, and in public spaces for prayer, teaching, and fellowship (Acts 2:46).   In our modern culture, where schedules are crammed and isolation is on the rise, we can be tempted to treat gathering with God’s people as optional. But God designed the church to be a place of mutual encouragement, correction, and equipping. We were never meant to follow Christ alone. Meeting together is not just about what we receive—it’s also about what we give. Our words of encouragement, prayers, and acts of kindness strengthen others’ faith. When life gets difficult, it’s the relationships we’ve built in God’s house that hold us up. Gathering is not a duty to check off; it’s a lifeline God provides for our spiritual health and the adv...

In Acts 5:12, we see that “ many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles .” This was not a random display of power but a direct answer to the prayer they prayed in Acts 4:29-30, asking God to grant them boldness while He confirmed His Word with miraculous works. These miracles authenticated their authority and testified to the truth of the gospel.   Today, we may not see the same kind of signs and wonders, but the principle remains—God gives His people spiritual gifts meant to build up the church and shine light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16).  Sometimes we struggle with believing our small acts of obedience could have kingdom impact, but in God’s hands, even the simplest action can carry eternal weight. We are called to use our gifts—whether teaching, encouraging, serving, or showing mercy—in ways that draw people’s eyes to Jesus. The same God who healed the sick through the apostles still works powerfully through His people today...

The early church lived with “ great power ,” “ great grace ,” and “ great fear ” (Acts 4:33; 5:11). That last one—fear—is often misunderstood. The fear of the Lord is not about dread but about awe-filled respect. It means taking God seriously, especially in how we view evil.   To grow in integrity, we must first align our hearts with God’s heart. That means learning to hate what He hates and love what He loves. Not because we’re trying to earn His approval, but because we respect who He is.   We don't grow in holiness by accident. It takes deliberate pursuit and daily examination. God invites us into a life where we’re not constantly guessing whether we’re “good enough,” but walking in constant dependence on His Spirit to lead us in the way everlasting.   Scripture: Proverbs 8:13 - The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.   Proverbs 16:6 - By the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.     Application: Commit to walking in daily awe and reverence for who...

Our lives speak. Every word, decision, and attitude reflects something about who we are and who we follow. Scripture says we are “ ambassadors for Christ ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). That means when people look at us, they are forming opinions about the God we serve.   Integrity isn’t just personal—it’s missional. Your life might be the only “Bible” someone ever reads. What message is it sending? Are your actions pointing others to Christ, or are they causing confusion?   It’s not about showing off—it’s about showing up. Showing up with grace, love, truth, and humility so that others might encounter Jesus through us.   Scripture: Matthew 5:16 – Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.   2 Corinthians 5:20 - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.   Application: Think of one person ...

Acts 5 is one of the starkest examples in Scripture of how seriously God views sin. Ananias and Sapphira didn’t just tell a small lie—they violated the sacred trust of the church community and tried to deceive God.   We live in a culture that often minimizes sin, treating it as a mistake rather than a spiritual offense. Yet God’s response reminds us: sin is still sin. Forgiveness is available, yes. But grace does not cancel out responsibility. When we take sin lightly, we begin to compromise our witness, influence, and intimacy with God. The early church was thriving—full of “ great power ” and “ great grace ” (Acts 4:33)—but sin threatened that movement.   God doesn’t want us walking on eggshells, but He does want us walking in repentance. There is freedom in acknowledging our failures and turning from them. It’s not about shame—it’s about restoration. God wants to cleanse us, not condemn us.   Scripture: Galatians 6:7-8 - Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for wha...

Ananias and Sapphira’s story is not just about lying—it’s also about trust. They might have feared that if they gave everything, they would be left with nothing. In contrast, Barnabas gave freely, trusting God to provide. Many believers today face a similar tension: we say we trust God, but when it comes to truly surrendering—whether finances, relationships, time, or control—we hesitate.   God doesn’t demand blind leaps, but He does invite faithful surrender. When He calls us to give or go or change, it’s never without reason. He wants our hearts to be fully His. Partial trust leads to divided devotion, and divided devotion makes us spiritually stagnant. Faith often means choosing obedience even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. Ananias and Sapphira failed not because they lacked resources, but because they lacked trust in the God who provides.   Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways ackn...

One of the greatest spiritual dangers is the temptation to appear more devoted than we actually are.  In Acts 5:1-4, Ananias and Sapphira tried to present themselves as generous givers, pretending to give everything while secretly holding some back. The issue wasn’t the amount they gave—it was the deceit.   Pretending to have a deeper relationship with God than we actually do not only harms our integrity, but it also disrupts the unity of the body of Christ. As Christians, we often feel pressure to have it all together. We might speak or act in ways that make us appear spiritually strong, even when we're struggling. This isn't just about public image—it’s about honesty before God.   Why is this important? Because being real with God leads to freedom, transformation, and authentic relationships. What I say, what I do, and who I am should all line up. That’s the kind of disciple God uses.   Scripture: Proverbs 11:3 - The integrity of the upright will guide them, But ...

The unity of the early church wasn’t passive—it was purposeful. They weren’t just together socially; they were united around a shared mission: to make Jesus known. As they lived, gave, served, and encouraged, they were “all in” for the Kingdom.   In Acts 11, Barnabas could have taken credit for the revival in Antioch—but instead, he brought Paul in to help. He knew that teamwork produced better results. Their unity bore fruit: the church grew, the city was impacted, and believers were first called Christians there.   Later, when conflict arose over John Mark, Barnabas chose restoration over resentment. He saw value in people, not just performance. Even Paul eventually recognized Mark’s worth (2 Timothy 4:11). That’s what mission-focused unity looks like—it includes humility, forgiveness, and an eye on eternity. Unity isn’t uniformity. It means different people with different gifts and backgrounds working together because Jesus matters more than our differences. That’s what mak...